Well, Durga Pujo is undoubtedly my favorite time of the year.

Right from when I was a child who could grasp the meaning of festivities.. this is one time of the year which used to make me feel very content and extremely blessed.

Mahalaya would be the time when we start getting excited and joyful at the oncoming of Pujo.

It would bring forth holidays and then my mashis ( aunts) getting excited and welcoming the Pujo.

Back home in Shillong, it was a time, all the mashis would get together and they would chatter and natter on what they would get this Pujo. And who will wear what on which day.

As a child, Ma would take me to the pandal in the morning for Pushpanjali. I would see my classmates there too. We used to gather mostly at Ramakrishna Mission to pay our respects to Ma Durga.

I would listen avidly to stories told by my parents on how Ma Durga would be coming home this time. There is a significance to every mode she uses to come to her parents home. I personally loved her story and her strength of character and believed in her energy  more than anything…

Today when I explore different paths of healing and learning, I am not surprised that her form is present across all cultures.

I remember I had a dress for the day time and for the night time.. it used to be fun..

We used to share between friends how many idols of Ma Durga we saw..

As we grew, Pujo used to be a landmark of our progressive youth..

It was kind of Sunday church where we would wear new clothes and preen around. And the food is awesome.. we would get to eat all kinds of food during this time.
Here is something you can try during Puja..

It was a playground for kids, a time to get together and be a part of the festivities for the older children. Teenagers would spend time giggling or showing themselves off for the crowd or that special someone.. For the newly weds it would be their first Pujo, for all, young and old, it would be a time to seek the Ma’s blessings and revel in her presence.. and her beautiful divine energy..

Evenings would be spent with family and all would gather at the temple and then go pandal hopping. Once upon a time, Shillong was a great place to be for the Pujas.. its been quiet I think for a while after the politics took over..

I loved the time where the young guys would start dancing with the dhuna..
The drums still echo in my ear and I love to swing to the beat of tak du ma dum …

I can sit through the chantings and the pujas non stop..

The food would be awesome. Having hot kichudi and then watching the program in the evenings…

Then again.. get ready the next morning..

I remember there was a big hullaballu over Kumari Puja..

Then it would be Dashami.. the time would fly in the blink of an eye and it was time to look at the mother’s face via the reflection of the water. And also watch the married ladies play with Shidur.. (vermilion)

It would be a time to say goodbye and well look forward to another Pujo the next year.

Today Pujo is not what it used to be. I do try and keep up the joy and the pace and the excitement.. but its all inside.. and sometimes, its nice to see a crowd in the various Pandals in Bangalore.. but its not the same..

Pujo at home with family and friends and people you know.. off the street and off the corners of the street.. has a poignant joy and nostalgia to it..

A time for giving and receiving, a time to share the divine joy.. and a time to just dance to the rhythm of the feminine divine…

Yes, its always will be and always is the favorite time of the year..  I love the feminine divine and all that she stands for… I bow to you Ma, and seek your blessings.. and welcome you….

May you bless the humanity and take away all our sufferings and help us have a perfect human rebirth again…

I wish all my friends  who worship this deity,  a very Happy Durga Puja

Durga Puja in Bangalore :

@ Bangalore Durga Puja cultural programme

Wed 23 Sep ’09, 06:00 pm To Sun 27 Sep ’09. 10:00 pm
Below is a list of programmes by various puja committees & performers.

The puja committees reserve the right for any change/ cancellation in plan due to conditions which are beyond their control.

23rd Sept – Maha Panchami

BENGALI ASSOCIATION (BA)
6PM: Anandamela
8PM: Celebrating 50 Golden Years with NACHIKETA

Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust (SSCT) -Koramangala.
7PM: Anandamela
7.30PM: Musical Programme by SHRISTI

SORRBA
7PM: Anandamela
7.15PM: Cultural program by Porfessional and Amateur member performers and FUN CONTESTS

24th Sept – Maha Shasthi

BENGALI ASSOCIATION (BA)
9PM: Dance programme by the Children of ” Sri Ramana Maharshi Academy for Blinds”

Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust (SSCT) -Koramangala.
10PM: Beats n Melody

SORRBA
8PM:Dandiya & DJ Night

North Bangalore Cultural Samiti (NBCS)
7PM-8PM: Matri Bandana by Piyali Das and group

PURVA Bangalore Cutural Association
Selfish Giant & Amritasya Kanya – Dance programme by children

25th Sept – Maha Saptami

BENGALI ASSOCIATION (BA)
8.30PM: The L’IL Champs of Zee Bangla
SA RE GA MA PA – NIHARIKA, ARPITA , SHUBHANKAR with SHUBHOJIT

Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust (SSCT) -Koramangala.
8PM: Maatir Gaan by Debjani Datta
9PM – Musical by Kohal
10PM -O Hansini – Musical programme

SORRBA
8PM -Sumaner Gaan (performance by KABIR SUMAN)

North Bangalore Cultural Samiti (NBCS)
7.30pm – 8.15pm – Completion of Geetanjali’s 100 years- Rabindrasangeet by Susmita Datta and Ashim Datta.
8.40pm – 9.45pm – Jeebanmukhi Gaan -Avishek Burman (Mohiner Ghoraguli – Kolkata).
10.10pm – 11.30pm – Dance Recital by Manasi Das (Dushari – Kolkata)

PURVA Bangalore Cutural Association
Dance drama’ Shyama’ by members. Performance by ANTARA CHOUDHURY (daughter of Salil and Sabita Choudhury)

26 Sept – Maha Asthami

BENGALI ASSOCIATION (BA)
8pm – Melodious Bangla Adhunik, film and folk Songs by Trinayanee (BABLOO MUKHERJEE and group)

Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust (SSCT) -Koramangala.
9pm – “World of Salilda” by ANTARA CHOUDHURY

SORRBA
9pm onwards – Bollywood Hits by BIJU NAIR and SINCHANDIXIT

North Bangalore Cultural Samiti (NBCS)
7.30pm Peacock Dance,Ganesh Abirbhab Geetinatya and Bengali Folk Dance by Mrs.Kajal Sinha, Mrs Tripti Nath, Aradhana & Group.
9-30pm-Symphony Orchestra and Hindi classical by Dr. Jayanta Das & Group

PURVA Bangalore Cutural Association
Odissi Dance by Sharmila Mukherjee. LIVE performance by LOPAMUDRA MITRA (Kolkata)

27 Sept – Maha Nabami

BENGALI ASSOCIATION (BA)
7-30pm – AURKO rocks the stage
9-30pm – Arati Nritya and Famous Traditional Dhunuchi Nritya competition

Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust (SSCT) -Koramangala.
9pm -Kingfisher Nite – An Enchanting Evening with LOPAMUDRA MITRA(KOLKATA)

SORRBA
9pm onwards – Backbenche-rs Band

North Bangalore Cultural Samiti (NBCS)
8-20 -” O P Tumi Nei Aar”-Tribute to Musical Maestro O P Nayyar, directed by PUSHPENDU GUPTA.
9-40pm- Bouquet of Bengali songs by Ananda Group.

PURVA Bangalore Cutural Association
Dance Performance by Badri (Theatre Boy) Musical performance by SINCHAN and BIJU

Venue details:
BENGALI ASSOCIATION (BA)
Venue: R.B.A.N.M.S Ground, Opp. to Ajanta Talkies, near Ulsoor Lake.

Sarathi Socio Cultural Trust (SSCT) -Koramangala.
Venue: Mangala Kalyan Mantapa, 8th Block, 80ft Road, Opp. Ganesha Temple, next to Aangan Restaurant, Koramangala.

SORRBA
Venue: Sun City Playground (Sarjapur Outer Ring Road Junction)

North Bangalore Cultural Samiti (NBCS)
Venue: Sadhu Maata Hall,4th A Main,12th Cross,Mahalakshmi Layout.

PURVA Bangalore Cutural Association
Venue: VSR Convention Hall,ITPL Road,opp HLL,Brookefields

Other Major Durga Pujas and programmes of Bangalore

Socio-Cultural Association, Indiranagar – Bijoya Dashami programme will be performed by EUPHORIA Band of Dr.PALASH SEN.

Programme schedule of ‘TRINAYANI’ by Babloo Mukherjee and Group – A collection of Immortal and Evergreen old and new Bengali adhunik, film and folk songs.
25.09.09 – SOCIO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, INDIRA NAGAR
26.09.09 – BENGALI ASSOCIATION, ULSOOR
27.09.09 – JAYMAHAL PUJA COMITEE, BENSON TOWN
_____________________________________________________________

Programme schedule of Mayukh Mazumdar’s performance
24.09.09 – Koramangala Sarathi Forum.
25.09.09- Marathahalli,Munekolala.
26.09.09- Jayamahal Sarbojanin Durga Charitable Samiti, Benson Town.
27.09.09-Koramangala Sarathi Trust.

Pragramme schedule of Debjani datta
· Solo Folk at Sarathi Socio Cultura on Saptami at 6.30 ~ 7.00pm (Matit Gan)
· Program with SBCA children at SBCA at 8~8.20pm on Astami
· Her solo Bengalee Variety at SBCA at 8 ~ 8.30pm on Navami.

Some more:

1. Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Charitable Samiti, Jayamahal Extension, Ladies Club premises.
2. Socio-Cultural Association Indiranagar, Defence Colony Playground, 6th Main, between Indiranagar 100ft Rd and 80 ft Rd.
3. Sarathi Forum, Koramangala, Munureddy Kalayan Mantap, 80 ft Rd, 6th Block, Koramangala
4. Probashi Association, Malleswaram Canara Union Hall 8th Main, 13th Cross, Malleshwaram
5. South Bangalore Cultural Association, J.P.Nagar Puja, opp.to Bannerghata Road Shopper’s Stop.
6. Whitefield Cultural Association, Chetan Building Besides Whitefield police station, close to Nilgiris.
7. RT Nagar Sarbojanin Durga Puja Samiti, Sai Baba Mandir, HMT Layout, Anand Nagar Next to RT Nagar Bus depot.
8. Antaranga Bengali Cultural Association, Sanjay Nagar puja. Its Sanay Nagar Main Rd through Ganganahalli, close to Food World.
9. Banaswadi Bengali Cultural Union, Sitaram Kalan Mantap, Banaswadi Main Road, Near Uttam Sagar
10. Murugeshpalya (Air Force) Wind Tunnel Road
11. Air Force Command Hospital, Near Ulsoor
12. Air Force Training Command, Mekhri Circle, Bellary Road.
13. Air Force Station – Jalahalli West.
14. Airforce Station – Jalahalli East.
15. Munekolal Marathahalli Durga Puja. Near Marathahalli Bridge.
16. Kagadaspura Durga Puja, 29th Cross, Janajeeva Nest, near SCT College.

After a while it feels like I have journeyed back a circle from where I left Shillong.

Shillong was heaven till 1990 after which we saw the beginning of terrorism of the local kind. Believe, me it does not have to be AK 47 and all that. A decent gatherinf of mob and some spreading of terror is enough to let the citizens shaken.

We started having curfews after 6:00 and no one was allowed to go out in the evening.

Some days were black days where we were not allowed to turn the lights on and were forced to live in candle power or no power. If by chance the miscreants saw a peep of light, we would have showers of stones which would effectively destroy our windows.

Classmates became enemies and accosted their non localites friends and had street fights in the roads where the goal would be to hurt the boy and rape the girl. Carrying a knife and getting stabbed was common.

Then came the cheapest form of bombs which would involve only a bottle and petrol and a good aim and BANG you have a blast. As I said terrorism does not have to be sophisticated.

Brothers of different ethinicity who had food at the same table laughed at the same jokes now killed each other. There was only the vision of trouble making and a misplaced ownership of lands.

Nepalis were targeted where we saw from our veranda, in shock and terror how the women came out with their khukris ready to kill anyone who would come by their area.

So the miscreants lay in wait for the Nepalis, Bengalis and other non localites to jump on them when they stepped into neutral ground and killed them mercilessly.

Durga Puja time, a time of festivities became a time of tragedies, where petrol bombs would be thrown in cabs to kill innocent people.

Education was difficult with constant interruptions in the school to have is get out of school and go home. We had a bunch of boys come in and order us out in the middle of a period.

Tenants were tortured. Women were raped. Men were butchered. All for what.. Some misplaced notion of political ownership. In a land which was pristine clear with nature and peace loving simple homely people.

Extortions and daylight murders were common. While walking back home, it was not unusual to see a group of people carrying a bloodstained corpse. The next day’s newspaper would talk more gory details about it. It was an offshoot of the chaos that came to visit us.

Houses were burnt deliberately and there was no insurance for that..

Shillong is a small town and everyone literally knew everyone. And if someone was hit, we would inevitably know the people and the family who went through the tragedy and rally in support however we could.

The result of all was that most of us fled the beloved town to settle in different places in India and well the rest.. had to stay still they could come out. And well now though the terror has died down the trust and the feeling of belonging.. never can be regained.. no matter how much we try..

More than a decade later… : it seems that history is proud to repeat itself.. in a larger form and for what.. ??